Victorian chimney-piece restoration, example 2

This chimney-piece had been removed by builders and had fragmented into component parts many of which had broken or disintegrated as the result of heat and vibration during the removal process. The restoration process involved the thorough cleaning out of the rear and fascia elements of all loose soot, and the reconstruction of the elements forming the component parts of the chimney-piece.
New bath stone was used to replace the soot impregnated original stone blocks to the interior and new internal returns constructed to replace the original internal returns which had disintegrated beyond repair. The broken left hand jamb panel was re-glued together and reinforced to the back with a slate liner.
Extensive cleaning of the discoloured carving elements was undertaken by hand using non abrasive cleaning agents and poultices and having being allowed to dry the chimney-piece had a coat of hard wax applied. Once completed, a new hearth slab to match as best possible was sourced, and the chimney-piece delivered and installed on site. In conjunction with the chimney-piece repairs the grate was stripped of several layers of paint and a new set of burning bars and grate constructed.

Before (click image to enlarge)	Restored and installed (click image to enlarge)